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Tragedy struck in Ogun State on Friday night when a Dangote Cement truck rammed into a tricycle, killing all five occupants at the Alapoka axis of the Papalanto-Ilaro Road in Yewa South Local Government Area.

The spokesperson for the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE), Babatunde Akinbiyi, said the crash occurred around 8:30 p.m.

According to Akinbiyi, the accident involved an unregistered tricycle and a Dangote truck with registration number GRZ 767 XA. Preliminary findings indicated that the truck lost its brakes before crashing into the tricycle.

‘A fatal road traffic accident occurred at Alapoka Village, Papalanto-Ilaro Road, Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State on Friday at 8:25 p.m. The tricycle was conveying five people, and sadly, all five died on the spot,’ Akinbiyi said.

Quoting an eyewitness, he added that the truck driver was unaware of the collision until its tyres had already crushed the tricycle and its passengers.

On receiving the report, TRACE Acting Head, Adedayo Omonayajo, and the Ilaro Divisional Commander, Salako Idowu, led a rescue operation to the scene. However, the team reportedly faced hostility from angry residents before the intervention of the Amotekun Corps restored calm.

‘The presumed dead were taken to the morgue by Federal Road Safety Corps officials,’ Akinbiyi added.

The Chief of Staff and Media Adviser to Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, otherwise known as Yayi, Kayode Odunaro, has been installed as the Osorun of Isaga-Orile Kingdom, in Abeokuta North Local Government Area of Ogun State.

The Osorun title holder is one of the kingmakers in the ancient kingdom.

Speaking with newsmen shortly after he was installed at the weekend by the Onisaga of Isaga-Orile Kingdom, Oba Joseph Oladele Olusoji Tella, Odunaro, explained that the chieftaincy title belonged to his lineage, adding that the position was last held by his uncle who died in 1988, having been installed in 1958.

He stated further that the title would bring him closer to his roots and participate more in activities of Isaga traditional council, particularly in the selection of a new traditional ruler in the town.

Odunaro, who is also the Baa’royin of Imala Kingdom, said though he holds other traditional titles, the latest one is unique and it will demand high responsibility from him.

While expressing his appreciation to Oba Tella, Isaga-Orile Traditional Council and the Osorun Family, the erstwhile Chief Press Secretary to former governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, declared that he would bring the experience he had garnered as the spokesperson to three past administrations in Ogun, to bear on the new title.

‘I am delighted that I have just been installed as the Osorun of Isaga-Orile Kingdom. This is a very important traditional title in the kingdom as Osorun is one of the kingmakers.

‘The title belongs to our family; my late uncle was installed in 1958 and held the title till he passed in 1988. So, for decades, there was a vacancy in the position of Osorun. Therefore, I am highly elated that I am feeling the vacant position today after so many years of interregnum.

‘For me, it is a higher call to traditional responsibility and I will ensure that I bring experiences I garnered over the years as spokesperson of three administrations, both military and civilian in Ogun, to bear in this new title. Like I have done in public service, I will use this Osorun title to contribute to the growth and development of the Isaga-Orile Kingdom,’ Odunaro submitted.

Dr Adesoji Tayo has been elected as the President of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF).

The former Vice President took over from Engr Ishaku Tikon who paddled the canoe of the federation for eighth years.

The Oyo State Table Tennis Association chairman was declared winner after his close opponent Khamisu Ahmed of Gombe State stepped down to be named the Vice President.

The First Lady of Nigeria and wife of President Bola Tinubu, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Saturday, empowered 500 women in Edo State with N50,000 each under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI).

The empowerment programme, conducted in partnership with the Tony Elumelu Foundation, took place in Benin City.

Speaking during the presentation of the cash grants to beneficiaries, Senator Tinubu said the initiative was designed to strengthen existing businesses and enhance the economic resilience of Nigerian women.

Represented by the Coordinator, Office of the First Lady of Edo State, Mrs. Edesili Okpeholo Anani, Tinubu urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the grant to expand their businesses and improve their livelihoods.

‘This is not a loan; it is a grant – a seed of renewed hope to help you recapitalise your existing businesses. It is my firm belief that when you empower a woman, you empower a household, a community, and indeed, a nation.

‘The Tony Elumelu Foundation generously donated N1 billion to the Renewed Hope Initiative to fund the empowerment of 18,500 across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

‘Each state, including the FCT, will have 500 women beneficiaries, each receiving N50,000 to support and expand their small businesses’.

On her part, Anani thanked the Tony Elumelu Foundation for its commitment to women’s economic advancement.

‘May this act of generosity inspire many more across our nation,’ she said.

She also extended her appreciation to the governor, Monday Okpeholo, and Senator Tinubu for their unwavering support in executing RHI programmes in the state.

One of the Beneficiaries, Otaru Patience, said the grant would help boost her business.

Another beneficiary, Adesuwa Obasogie, called for the money to be increased in the face of the current economic reality of the country.

Those present included Chairperson, National Council of Women Society Edo State Chapter, Taiwo Inumidune, Special Adviser, Sustainable Development Goals SDG, Mrs Barbara Omozele Agbebaku, and Director, Control and Immunisation, Edo State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Eseigbe Eromon.

One person lost his life while four sustained varying degrees of injury in a fatal auto crash in Ihiala, Anambra state.

The crash which occurred on Saturday along Ihiala-Owerri Road involved six vehicles.

According to an eyewitness, the trailer was on top speed when the driver suddenly lost control over brake failure, colliding with the other five vehicles.

Confirming the incident, Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Bridget Asekhauno said the injured were rushed to the hospital for medical attention.

‘The incident involved six vehicles, resulting in one fatality (1 male) and four injuries (4 males). A total of eight individuals (all males).

‘The vehicles involved in the crash included: Mack trailer, a Lexus 350 SUV with registration number YAB-131-DA, an Iveco truck with registration number ABC-693-XD, a Mitsubishi L300 truck with registration number JJJ-488-SQ, a Toyota Camry with registration number MKA-331-AA, an Inveco tipper with registration number HAL-604-ZX.

‘Tragically, one of the victims, the driver of the Lexus, was pronounced dead and has been deposited in the hospital’s morgue,’ she added.

Asekhauno sympathised with the deceased family and wished the injured quick recovery.

She emphasised the importance of defensive driving techniques and adherence to traffic regulations.

Her words, ‘We urge all drivers to exercise caution, drive within the designated speed limit, and maintain maximum concentration while driving.

‘The FRSC rescue team from RS5.34 Ihiala responded promptly, evacuating the injured victims to the hospital. They are also working to clear the scene and restore normal traffic flow.

‘The FRSC Anambra State Command appeals to motorists to be cautious and patient while driving, especially on highways.

‘We also encourage witnesses to report crashes promptly to our Command centers or through our toll-free number 122 for any road emergencies.’

A former deputy governor of Osun State, who is also the immediate past National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Iyiola Omisore, has hinted in joining the 2026 governorship race in Osun State.

He is expected to vie on the platform of the APC.

He disclosed this yesterday through his official handle on X (formerly Twitter).

The former deputy governor said he would make a formal declaration on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at the APC secretariat in Osogbo, Osun State.

According to him, the event will be held under the theme: ‘Fix the Broken, Restore Our Dreams.’

‘I believe strongly that together, we can restore hope, strengthen governance, and deliver a brighter future for every son and daughter of Osun. This is not just my mission, it is a collective one.

‘I humbly invite you to join me as we take this bold step towards the Osun Rescue Mission 2026.

‘My beloved people of Osun State, after deep reflection and wide consultations, I have decided to formally declare my intention to contest for the Governor of Osun State in 2026 under our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC),’ the statement read.

Thousands of women from various local government areas and communities around Warri, Delta State, converged on Urhobo College, Warri, to receive packs of food items from Glo Foundation in its ‘Giving Back Together’ initiative.

The event was in continuation of the special intervention programme by Globacom to support the most vulnerable segment of society with essential food items to cushion the effects of the economic situation.

At the programme, women, including the aged and widows from far and near communities such as Warri North, Warri South, Aladja, Ughelli South, Udu, and Uvwie local government areas, gathered immediately after the state’s monthly environmental sanitation exercise to benefit from the scheme.

Speaking at the event, Globacom’s head of Corporate Social Responsibility, Mrs Jumobi Mofe-Damijo, stated that having successfully held similar food donation programmes in some other states, it was the turn of women in Delta to also be part of the programme.

She explained that the food drive had become a quick, go-to route for the company to reach out to the largely female population, who constitute the bulk of the disadvantaged in every society.

‘Our Food Drive is not just for anyone. It is targeted at the most vulnerable segment of the Nigerian society, that is women and children. When we help them, we are helping the society at large,’ she enthused.

Each food pack distributed had 5 kilograms of rice, 5 kilograms of Gaari, semovita, spaghetti, vegetable oil, sachets of tomato paste, sardines, seasoning cubes, noodles, and other essential items that the women would find useful at home.

The beneficiaries sang and danced in gratitude to Globacom for the initiative. Princess Omo-Udoyo, from Ughelli North, felt so joyful being a beneficiary. ‘I have not seen this before. I thank God and the Glo Foundation for this gift’, she said.

For Mrs Esther Okoro who hails from Otu Jeremi, Ughelli South, it was just prayers that she kept offering when asked about the package she received. Said she: ‘God will lift the company and people who have done this. He will lift them higher and higher. They will never lack anything. For doing this for us today, I say may God protect them. You will always go higher.’

The Globacom Food Drive initiative is also planned to berth in other key cities across the country in the months ahead where more women will also benefit.

The second edition of the Africa for Peace Sports Festival is set to launch on November 15, 2025, bringing a celebration of sports, unity, and peace to Delta State.

Held in honor of the International Day for Tolerance, this year’s festival features a dynamic lineup of competitions aimed at promoting community engagement, talent discovery, and peaceful coexistence.

Participants will compete in events such as gym contests, Scrabble, snooker, table tennis, and mini football, while chess and fussball will be featured as exhibition games.

A total prize pool of N10 million, along with other incentive awards, will be up for grabs, making this edition the most exciting yet.

Another first day of another tenth month

Of yet another long year

The sun rose, wearily

From a sober corner of the sky

The rain this season

Is full and furiously free

The pampered lawns are glad

The battered roofs are sour

In other lands far, yet not-so-far

The sky rains red

From the cannibal carnival of ‘smart bombs’

By those who claim they own the world

In this long-suffering country we call our own

Awash with pledges, submerged in prayers

For sixty years and five we have asked many questions

Waiting for their vital answers

The rich still too rich

The poor too poor

Our schools still un-schooled

Our hospitals are horse-spittles

Our country, nonetheless

With blessings so abundant

Waiting, still waiting, for

The Promise which succeeds the Pain

In a bid to recognise and celebrate the achievements of African entrepreneurs, the Africa Trade Award is set to take place in November, alongside the launch of the book ‘Africa Disruptors’.

The prestigious award aimed to honour 23 exceptional individuals from six African countries – Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya – who have made significant contributions to their respective industries and communities.

Speaking at a press conference, Chief Executive Officer, Ikeanumba Media Ltd, publishers of The Lagos Times newspaper and Ikeanumba Africa magazine, Mr. Ayobama Ikeanumba, explained that the nominees were selected through a rigorous research and findings process, representing various sectors, including business, technology, and innovation.

These entrepreneurs have demonstrated remarkable resilience, creativity, and determination, inspiring others to follow in their footsteps.

One such entrepreneur is Alhaji Aliko Dangote, whose impact on Nigeria’s fuel supply has been transformative.

Before the Dangote refineries came on board, Nigerians spent weeks, even months, waiting in fuel stations. Today, thanks to Dangote’s game-changing intervention, fuel shortages are no longer a major issue, although price remains a concern.

The Africa Trade Award seeks to shine a spotlight on these unsung heroes, encouraging them to continue pushing boundaries and inspiring others to do the same. By sharing their stories, successes, and challenges, the award aims to foster a sense of community and promote entrepreneurship across the continent.

Also commenting, Amb. Cornel Udofia, CEO of Cornel Media, noted that, ‘When you’re doing things, you may not know that people are watching and feeling you,’ adding that the Africa Trade Award is a testament to the power of intentional action and its impact on communities and societies.

Through this award and the ‘Africa Disruptors’ book, the organisers hope to inspire a new generation of entrepreneurs, demonstrating that with hard work, innovation, and dedication, anything is possible. By highlighting the achievements of Africa’s most impactful entrepreneurs, the award aims to drive economic growth, promote sustainable practices, and empower communities across the continent.